The year ends, which means a lot of looking back and hand-wringing. O Lordy, have we done much in our lives? To appease the soul, to fulfil the terms of the karmic machine, we present a way to give back via GastroSense's annual “Christmas with a Cause”. For this edition, the brand and communications consultancy raises awareness for mental health with a design collab with two idealistic cuisiners: Kenjiro “Hatch” Hashida, of Hashida Singapore and Hashida Tokyo, and Rishi Naleendra, chef-owner of Cloudstreet, Kotuwa, and FOOL Wine Bar.

Called “Tomorrow”, this project features a shared illustration about the importance of mental health. Starting with Chef Hatch's poem about the uncertainties of life, the march of time and the promise of hope. Inspired by the poem, Chef Hatch illustrated a jellyfish with flowing tentacles, illuminated by the sun. Chef Rishi drew from his Sri Lankan heritage to add to the vision. Incorporating "Liyawel,” a traditional floral motif, along with the two-headed “Bherunda” bird—a symbol of wisdom, resilience, and balance—the artwork becomes more than an artistic collab; it turns into a clarion call for mental health awareness, a message keenly significant in a year that’s tested the F&B industry.

While, the jellyfish illustration looks fantastic on a t-shirt (as exemplified by Chef Rishi giving his best Blue Steel look [see above), the artwork will also be plastered on tote bags and stickers as well. Net proceeds from each purchase will go towards The Tapestry Project, a local non-profit championing mental health through storytelling.